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Reducing RAC membership costs

Sorry, couldn't trawl through 101 pages to see if anyone else has already done this one :)

I joined the RAC last year and got their basic level of cover for about £32. This year, my renewal came through - and it was £43. This is, apparently, the "standard" price, with the £32 being their initial special offer.

So I phoned them up and said I thought this was too expensive, and without any quibble at all I was immediately offered a renewal rate of £32.25.

The 0870 call cost me 5p and took about 2 minutes, not bad for a saving of £11 :)

Comments

  • Astaroth
    Astaroth Posts: 5,444 Forumite
    The search button is your friend :)
    All posts made are simply my own opinions and are neither professional advice nor the opinions of my employers
    No Advertising or Links in Signatures by Site Rules - MSE Forum Team 2
  • Astaroth wrote:
    The search button is your friend :)

    No, the Search button hates me.

    I typed in "RAC" and it claimed there were no matches.

    Edited to add: in fact, it *still* claims there are no matches, despite this thread now existing.
  • highguyuk
    highguyuk Posts: 2,763 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    And using the website https://www.saynoto0870.com - you may not have had to pay the premium rate on your phone call to them. ;)

    Something you can bear in mind next year ... :P
  • I had joint RAC roadside recovery last year - cant remember exactly how much I paid but included £20 shopping voucher. This year, renewal came in at £100.

    I quoted AA meanwhile which was about £20 cheaper - I also went through quidco for £20 cashback. when I phoned RAC to cancel, they offered to match the price for the previous year (about a £1 cheaper than the AA quote - but as cashback had tracked on quidco, I declined).

    Next year I will swap back to RAC and get 1st year discount and £20 cashback if this is still available.
  • Heinz
    Heinz Posts: 11,191 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker Car Insurance Carver!
    My AA renewal quote came in before Christmas - for a 50% increase on last year.

    As a result, I just tried to join the RAC online having gone via Rpoints (to get the 1200 points) but, when I reached the payment stage, it wouldn't let me go past the "In order to ensure continuous cover I authorise RAC to charge my card with the amount of my annual membership each year until otherwise instructed by me" section without ticking the box in agreement. I never agree to such things so decided to phone them.

    On phoning 0800 731 7090, they offered to match the online price if I joined on the phone but, of course, that would mean I didn't get the £12 from Rpoints.

    The 'associate' had never heard of Rpoints but a quick explanation about the loss of, in effect, a £12 discount on the online price resulted in him offering that too.
    Time has moved on (much quicker than it used to - or so it seems at my age) and my previous advice on residential telephony has been or is now gradually being overtaken by changes in the retail market. Hence, I have now deleted links to my previous 'pearls of wisdom'. I sincerely hope they helped save some of you money.
  • highguyuk
    highguyuk Posts: 2,763 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Heinz wrote:
    My AA renewal quote came in before Christmas - for a 50% increase on last year.

    As a result, I just tried to join the RAC online having gone via Rpoints (to get the 1200 points) but, when I reached the payment stage, it wouldn't let me go past the "In order to ensure continuous cover I authorise RAC to charge my card with the amount of my annual membership each year until otherwise instructed by me" section without ticking the box in agreement. I never agree to such things so decided to phone them.

    On phoning 0800 731 7090, they offered to match the online price if I joined on the phone but, of course, that would mean I didn't get the £12 from Rpoints.

    The 'associate' had never heard of Rpoints but a quick explanation about the loss of, in effect, a £12 discount on the online price resulted in him offering that too.

    That's very handy to know! lol! Thanks v.much!
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